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United States Patent | 5,171,692 |
Craig, Jr. | December 15, 1992 |
A method for detecting mercury amalgamation of an aluminum body includes the steps of contacting a surface of the aluminum body with an electrolyte, and simultaneously contacting the electrolyte with a reference electrode. The reference electrode is formed of a metal which is more electronegative than the aluminum body being tested, such that the electrolyte creates an electrochemical cell between the aluminum and the reference electrode, which cell produces an electromotive potential between the aluminum and the reference electrode. The potential difference is monitored. The potential difference will differ when the aluminum surface contacted with the electrolyte is mercury amalgamated from when no mercury amalgamation is present in the aluminum surface contacted.
Inventors: | Craig, Jr.; Howard L. (Mullica Hill, NJ) |
Assignee: | Mobil Oil Corporation (Fairfax, VA) |
Appl. No.: | 240309 |
Filed: | September 6, 1988 |
Current U.S. Class: | 205/790; 436/73 |
Intern'l Class: | G01N 033/20; 153.1 |
Field of Search: | 204/65,98,153.1,197,198,222,271,287,296,292,297 R,402,403,404,416,430,467,435 324/444,450 429/27,194,112,44 436/73,84 422/53,58,22,292 |
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